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I'm sure this is a basic engine question, but as usual, I'm confused:
How can I start a (very) cold engine, idle for 5 minutes, check the oil level and it's almost a quart low,
I don't add oil.
Drive 36 miles at 3500-4000 rpm to work and turn off truck.
Let sit for 2 hours, then check oil level (mildly warm to touch) and its near full. (probably at least 1/2 - 2/3 quart difference on the dip stick)--?
I checked it twice before and after the drive. same results.

Either I've hit black gold, can't read a dip stick, or does the level fluctuate that much with driving?

So are you saying that the first check of it is while the engine is running? If so - that's the problem - I don't think that the oil level is meant to be checked while running - always with the engine off. Maybe the oil is sitting in the valve covers and slowly drains back?

I know my Mercedes Sprinter diesel is very specific on how to check the oil - engine off but with it warmed up after 5 minutes of sitting. Filling it to the full mark on a cold engine apparently causes it to become overfilled once warmed up due to expansion - but it does have 10 quarts of oil in it...

re you saying that the first check of it is while the engine is running?

No, both pre and post trip checks are with the engine off.

Check it before you start it in the am and I bet it will read the same as if it sat for 2 hours.

Oil is pumped through the engine while running; this coats all of the oil passages, fills the filter, oil cooler, etc. If you check the oil level right away after it has been running, not all of the oil is in the pan, so the dipstick reads low. The excess oil drains into the pan after a couple of hours and now the level is higher. I have to admit, I would not expect to see a 1 quart difference but if the filter drains down there is easily a quart in there alone.

I'd need to read the manual to see if they have any specific instructions as to checking it hot (right after shutdown) or cold. Anyone here know for certain?

Out of curiosity, what's the oil viscosity and ambient temps you operate in?

Castrol hd 30wt. Temps between 34 low to 50 high.

Foaming? Tiny air bubbles? I assume that the next morning the level is back to the original lower level - correct?

Foaming?

I have not had the white foaming or white goo in the oil filler neck so far this year. It was quite a problem in below-freezing temps,
but for some reason not lately. I've also followed Morris' advice and partially covered the grill on the coldest days.

I've checked it again today, and the oil level fluctuates about half+ quart from cold to warm.

Don't know if the routine oil check should be done cold or hot, but I would recommend doing it the same way each time
for comparison purposes.

I was plagued with foam when I lived in WA and sometimes in CA when it was raining (seldom) Not so in CO.
I wasn't getting the vehicle up to operating temps just going around town or to the store. Got to get it hot to get
rid of the water. I don't think it is a real serious problem except that water is a road to rust.

Possible theory, run for a few minutes oil is still cold oil is bypassing the oil cooler so some oil “hangs” in the oil cooler circuit. Get the engine up to temp oil cooler thermostat opens allows previously trapped oil to drain back to oil pan when engine is shut down.

oil “hangs” in the oil cooler circuit

Ed:
That would account for the volume changes that I see.

Got to get it hot to get
rid of the water.

Morris:
I guess mine runs cool (has to with all that oil in the cooling circuit!)
I can run that thing up and down the mountains, highway or city driving for an hours or more
and still couldn't get rid of the white goo- until I followed your "block the air tunnel in the winter"
advice. Now, goo gone!

I always check my oil before startup. Otherwise it is very difficult as it gets splashed all over the dipstick.

Ran across this discussion. http://pinzforum.kiruna.de/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7701 and thought of this thread. I doubt this is whats happening, however...

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96lverd%C3%BCnnung

https://www.amsoil.com/techservicesbull ... lution.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crankcase_dilution